Voices of History Erie: Stories of Family

Welcome to Voices of History Erie, a PA Humanities project inspired by the works of renowned playwright August Wilson and designed to showcase the voices of everyday Black Pennsylvanians. PA Humanities launched the project in Pittsburgh in 2024 and expanded to Erie in 2026, inviting community members to traditional story circles to share personal stories about their lives in the community. 

In these three videos, you’ll hear stories of family connection that give purpose to younger generations and preserve culture and history in Erie. Whether it’s legacies of cultural impact or personal care that trace several generations back, each of these stories centers on the value of family influence on identity and personal success. 

“Fishing Vest”

Despite being from New Castle, Erie has always served a big role in Kyra Taylor’s life. Her father was a fisherman and boater who drew her family to Erie and she has fond memories of her childhood spent around the lake. Kyra remembers vividly how her father’s old, tattered fishing vest always seemed to have everything they needed, and now, like that fishing vest, her family supports every part of the organization that she started, Erie’s Black Wall Street. 

“Every one of my family has a role that they play. Even when starting the organization, Erie’s Black Wall Street that I run, I could not have done that without the help from my family.”

“Family Matriarch”

Creanu Jenning’s grandmother was the first person that he ever saw who embodied selflessness. She was born in 1939 and looked after her three younger siblings in the wake of their mother’s death. She helped raise him with routine, hearty meals, and intention and he remembers her as a pillar of community. Creanu describes how he models his own care for his daughter and younger brother after her behavior. 

“She did a lot for me in ways that I didn’t understand until I got older because I thought it was the norm as far as the community aspect and like the teaching aspect. She was always teaching people.” 

“Remembering Harry T. Burleigh”

Marie Burleigh’s family line traces back to before the Civil War. Her great-great-great grandfather worked as a conductor on the Underground Railroad and his descendants have all made their mark on the rich cultural history of Erie. Marie’s great grandfather Harry T. Burleigh became a celebrated singer in New York City who eventually sang for the King of England and at J. P. Morgan’s Funeral. Marie explains how Mercyhurst University and the Erie County Cemetery Foundation have both made efforts to help preserve her family’s history and how those efforts have created opportunities for her to become more connected with that history. 

“Harry learned the spirituals very early and grew up here in Erie, trained as a stenographer, developed a reputation as quite a fine singer. And when he was 28, he went to New York City and studied music on scholarship. And from there, kind of the rest is history.” 

Voices of History Erie is made possible by funding provided by Erie Insurance, Thomas B. Hagen, the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s PA Arts and Culture Recovery Program, the Pennsylvania Department of Education Job Training and Education Programs Grant, and the Erie Community Foundation.